I have been MIA lately since I have been keeping a secret. 🙂 We are having a baby!

I am not sure the direction I want to take this blog. At the moment, I am wanting to turn this food blog into a lifestyle blog that incorporates food. It seemed like I started this blog so long ago, but it is still a fairly new blog. For now, I will keep the name the same and decide what to potentially rename the blog.

I am keeping this post short and sweet. I am excited for this new chapter in our lives, and seeing what this blog will become!

Matt and I went to Orlando for a wedding a few weeks ago. We decided to make a vacation out of the trip and decided to go to Universal Studios to visit Harry Potter world. I am channeling my inner closet nerd here. I read all the books and watched all the movies.

Universal Studios was fun! The Harry Potter side of the park was very impressive. From the way they had Diagon Alley set up to Hosmeade, the park did a fantastic job. The park captured the magic of Harry Potter very well. Compared to the rest of the park, Harry Potter world was much more packed and busy. The lines for the rides were slightly longer. Also I realized I cannot handle roller coasters as much anymore – I got light-headed!

We had a few things on our list we wanted to do when we got to Harry Potter world and to try Butterbeer was top on the list! So we bought a Butterbeer to split as we heard it was a very sweet drink. I anticipated Butterbeer to have a much sweeter taste as many blogs on visiting Harry Potter world warned of that. However, I did not find it to be that particularly sweet. The three options for Butterbeer are cold, warm, and frozen. I put my margarita hat on and know I do not like the frozen margaritas, so I got the cold Butterbeer. The foam topping was delicious!

I want to try all the recipes out there on Pinterest to find the best recipe to the Butterbeer served at Universal Studios. One recipe did catch my eye from Bake Me Away. Knowing how I am, I want to be original – so below is a recipe that I have tried to be similar to the one at Universal Studios. Also to note, add in a pinch of salt as it gives it a nice carbonation look to it. Take a look at the left versus right cup.

Enjoy!

Any favorite tried and true recipes?

Print Recipe

Magical Butterbeer Recipe

Smooth butterbeer with a good foam topping

Prep Time

5Mins

Servings

1Cup

Ingredients

12ozcream sodaChilled

1/4tsbvanilla extract

1/4 tsbbutter extract

1pinchsaltFor the carbonation

1/4 tsbrum extractOptional

1/2cupheavy whipping cream

2tbspsugar

1/2tsb vanilla extract

1/4tsb butter extract

Prep Time

5Mins

Servings

1Cup

Ingredients

12ozcream sodaChilled

1/4tsbvanilla extract

1/4 tsbbutter extract

1pinchsaltFor the carbonation

1/4 tsbrum extractOptional

1/2cupheavy whipping cream

2tbspsugar

1/2tsb vanilla extract

1/4tsb butter extract

Recipe Notes

For the soda:
1. Pour the cream soda into glasses
2. Add in the 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract, 1/4 tap of butter extract, and optional 1/4 tsp of rum extract
3. Add a pinch of salt

For the topping:
1. Pour the heavy whipping cream in a mixing bowl
2. Add in the sugar, 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp of butter extract
3. Whisk until foamy
4. Spoon onto the soda

So I have been dying to try spaghetti squash for awhile now, and finally I have tried it. In the process, I have learned the best way to cook the squash. While you are reading this, pre-heat the oven to 375°F.

First thing first, cutting the squash was a problem. It is hard to cut, similar to butternut squash where you have to use a really sharp knife and muscles. I decided to go on a Google hunt, and I found that poking the squash with tiny holes with a knife and the putting it in the microwave for 5 minutes makes it easier to cut. Viola! Easy Peasy. Now the hard part is over.

Before you cut, I suggest cutting it not in half rather the other way. The way where you will get rings of the spaghetti squash. This creates longer strands of the spaghetti squash. See the photo below on how to cut.

Place the rings of the spaghetti squash on a baking sheet and season it you would like it. I typically season with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Place the spaghetti squash in the oven for 40-50 minutes when the oven temperature is at 375°F, or when the interior is fork-tender.

Remove from the oven and let it cool. Then, scrap the spaghetti squash with a fork until it is removed from the peel. Now it is ready to serve with seasoned as-is or with spaghetti sauce.

What is your favorite way to eat this yellow squash?

Who loves Mexican food? Matt does! He loves Mexican food of all kinds. Every time we decide to go out to eat, he chooses Mexican. I love Mexican food as well, but he loves it on a whole other level.

When I prepare meals during the week, they need to be fairly quick and easy to make. Matt and I both work, so it isn’t easy to make elaborate meals during the week. Also, as we start to think about family planning, we want to be able to have some great recipes we know are delicious. This Mexican pizza is a easy and quick meal, and you can make a lot of “pizzas” at once to feed more people. This recipe reminds me of a 7 layer dip, but in pizza form. We used medium sized tortillas, but you can use larger or smaller sized ones.

As I am starting this blog, I am slowing getting back to recipes I have forgotten about and love! I am excited for this journey to document recipes and share them with you. I hope to have more recipes or food topics more frequently as I am trying to still find a routine for me.

Here is the ground beef cooking with the taco seasoning.

Then final results from the oven! You can see roughly each layer. This recipe is flexible to how much of each ingredient you want.

As we have more and more friends with children, we can see how picky eaters are the real deal. This is a great interactive way for you to involve your kids to have them put the amount of each ingredient on the tortilla. Enjoy!

Take a baking sheet and place the tortillas on the sheet evenly spaced out. This depends on the size of tortillas you prefer. Bake for 5 minutes until warm. Remove from oven and set aside.

Prepare the ground beef with the taco seasoning. Cook the ground beef on medium heat in a large skillet. Once the ground beef is halfway done, add the taco seasoning and keep cooking until done. Remove from heat.

Prepare and chop the tomato and green onions. Set aside.

In a microwave-safe bowl, warm the refried beans.

From here, layer the tortillas that were set aside with the ingredients in this order: refried beans, ground beef, enchilada sauce, the shredded lettuce, shredded cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions, and olives.

Place back in the oven for 5-10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted. Remove from the oven and let it sit out to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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Let me know if you try this by taking a photo and using #thecopperchicken. I would love to see how it turns out!

As a new food blogger, I don’t want my posts to only talk about recipes. I want to talk about anything food! During the winter months, I don’t think much about the fresh produce in season. This could attribute to that I reside in Texas, and lately we have had a very mild winter. It is mid-February and the weather was beautiful this weekend. My husband, Matt, and I played a golf with our neighbors in shorts! I remember in high school that it snowed on Valentine’s day – it was so romantic! This weather is warmer than usual as a native Texan, but I am hoping Spring is upon us. Isn’t Groundhog Day coming up soon?

So here is a list of some seasonal fresh produce and the benefits of eating them. (It is also more budget-friendly as well.) I am going to provide recipes containing these 5 fresh produce in the near future, so stay tuned!

Apples – Apples are rich in antioxidants and dietary fibers. Apples can help reduce the risk of diabetes, prevent stomach disorders, Parkinson’s, and so much more. This fruit is easy to take with you when you are on the go as a quick snack.

Beets – Beets are high in Vitamin C, anti-inflammatory agents, and Betalains. Betalains are suppose to help aid in detoxification of the body. This is a vegetable that I don’t eat often at all, so this post will help challenge me to try beets more.

Carrots – Carrots contain beta-carotene and fibers. This root vegetable can help to improve vision. This is also a easy snack to have throughout the day. Matt loves baby carrots, so we always have baby carrots in our refrigerator.

Kale – This green leaf was a popular little leaf for awhile there. It was the most talked about vegetable and used in juices, smoothies, and many dishes. Kale contains Folate, a B Vitamin that is key for brain development and prevent the development of neural tube defects during pregnancy.

Sweet potatoes – Sweet potatoes also contain beta-carotene, and this vegetable can also help regulate blood sugars. This is a really easy vegetable to cook as a quick side dish.

What is your favorite seasonal fresh produce?

Super Bowl parties are always filled with such delicious and easy to eat finger foods. I love these parties because I get to see friends, eat good food, watch the half time show, and see who is the winner of the Super Bowls.

I will provide some fun facts to get you into the Super Bowl mood.

Lady Gaga is performing at this year’s Super Bowl

The average commercial is $5M for 30 seconds – WOW!

Houston has hosted the Super Bowl three times including this year’s (1974, 2004, and 2017)

Tom Brady is the first QB to appear in seven Super Bowls

The Atlanta Falcons have never won a Super Bowl

The average price of this year’s Super Bowl ticket is $5,216

I hope you enjoyed the fun facts and maybe you can quiz some friends this evening. Maybe these facts will be helpful in the next trivia night you attend.

One of our friend hosts a day after New Years party each year. This year the Mexican Corn Dip made an appearance – I was so in love with this dip. I am not a corn dip person usually, but this one was fantastic. I looked up a few Pinterest recipes, combined them to how I remember the Mexican corn dip tasted, and also added a few extra ingredients. This is what I am bringing to the party I am attending tonight. This recipe makes quite a bit, so you do not need to worry about running out.

The dip is really easy and quick to make, so if you are in a hurry this is the perfect dip to bring to a party. Grab the ingredients and mix together, and then add some chips. Easy peasy! I hope you enjoy!

Print Recipe

Mexican Corn Dip

Best corn dip ever!

Prep Time

15minutes

Servings

Ingredients

3canssweet corn with diced peppers11 oz cans; drained

1canchopped green chilies7 oz can

1canchopped jalapeno peppers6oz can; drained

1/2cupgreen onionschopped

1cupmayonnaise

1cupsour cream

1tsppepper

1/2tspgarlic powder

3tbstaco seasoning

8ozshredded cheddar cheese

2-3bagstortilla scoops or Frito scoops

Prep Time

15minutes

Servings

Ingredients

3canssweet corn with diced peppers11 oz cans; drained

1canchopped green chilies7 oz can

1canchopped jalapeno peppers6oz can; drained

1/2cupgreen onionschopped

1cupmayonnaise

1cupsour cream

1tsppepper

1/2tspgarlic powder

3tbstaco seasoning

8ozshredded cheddar cheese

2-3bagstortilla scoops or Frito scoops

Instructions

1. In a large bow, mix all the ingredients together except for the chips.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
3. Serve with the chips of choice!

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Who are you cheering to win in this year’s Super Bowl – The New England Patriots orThe Atlanta Falcons?

You can’t have cupcakes without some icing! One of my coworker loves strawberries, artificial strawberries that is. I made her strawberry cupcakes with this cream cheese icing recipe to celebrate her birthday! One of my other coworkers made her a strawberry cake with cream cheese icing, so there might be a bake off. I am secretly hoping I win, of course!

The perfect cream cheese icing is to ensure the butter and cream cheese are smooth. No one wants lumpy icing! Melt the butter to avoid any lumps, the butter is typically the harder ingredient to smooth out. If the icing does get too soft, place into the refrigerator until at desired consistency. Mix again to get the icing at the same consistency.

I use a natural vanilla extract, which has an amber color to it. For an all white icing, use a clear vanilla extract because this leaves the icing pure white.

This is one of my favorite recipes for icing. It is easy and taste so delicious! What is you favorite icing to use for cupcakes?

About

Welcome! I'm Jenn! I am so glad you are here! So many memories are made around food. I created this blog to house all the great recipes over time. I want to be intentional in this to inspire us to spend more time gathered around a table with our friends and family. Read more...

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